I just recently started working with a talented lyricist I met on Facebook named Skipper Laman. He was looking for someone who does country music to transform his lyrics into songs. He sent me these lyrics and let me have a go at it. I'll be releasing this later in the week as a single.

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Tempo: 114bpm

Real Tracks...
2578: Bass, Synth, Retro Pop
2670: Pedal Steel, Background Hippy Train
2635: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Country Rock High
2634: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Country Blues Rock
1170: Guitar, Electric, Soloist Rock Medium Brent
Real Drums: Driving Pop 8ths

This song uses all real tracks from BIAB 2018. I Exported each track to Cubase 9 for editing and mixing. There was a fair amount of compression added to all of the guitar tracks (Including pedal steel.) For the drum I used a trick that David Snyder posted in the forums. I tripled the drum track then isolated the kick on one track and the snare on another using EQ. Then I mixed them with the original drum track to give it a little extra kick and snap. The solo was made from 2 different renderings of the Brent Mason solo real track.

For vocals I recorded one lead vocal track and tripled it. I then added various (yet similar) effects to each track and mixed them together to my liking. Backup vocals were doubled then panned hard left and right.

I tried something new in the mastering of this piece in an attempt to streamline things. It seems to work well and will probably be using it again. I created 2 group channels on the end of my channel chain. The first one has all the tracks sent to it to add saturation. Then that group is sent to the second for mastering where I add final compression, EQ and maximizing. The mix is then exported to a separate track for normalization before final exportation.

For the first time in my recording process I also used a reference track which seemed to help with getting the sound I wanted. I will definitely be using this in future productions.

Lyrics:
Girl I like you, you say you like me too
But what you want from me I can't give to you
I just want you to know before things go wrong
I wanna live my life like a country song

I wanna hop in my truck, and take it for a spin
Watch a football game, drink a beer with a friend
I wanna fish all day, and party all night
Maybe go to a bar, maybe get in a fight
Life's too short and damn it I'm too young
To just call it quits before I've had my fun
I know you wanna settle down, but I won't lie
I ain't ever gonna be that guy
No I'm never gonna be that guy.

You want a little white house with a big back yard
A couple of kids and a family car
You want happy ever after, like in your dreams
But that white picket fence, girl it ain't my thing

I wanna hop in my truck, and take it for a spin
Watch a football game, drink a beer with a friend
I wanna fish all day, and party all night
Maybe go to a bar, maybe get in a fight
Life's too short and damn it I'm too young
To just call it quits before I've had my fun
I know you wanna settle down, but I won't lie
I ain't ever gonna be that guy
No I'm never gonna be that guy.

Well, I love hot women and I love cold beer
I love a sad country song that will bring a year
I wanna party till I die, then do it all again
So maybe you and I, should just be friends

I wanna hop in my truck, and take it for a spin
Watch a football game, drink a beer with a friend
I wanna fish all day, and party all night
Maybe go to a bar, maybe get in a fight
Life's too short and damn it I'm too young
To just call it quits before I've had my fun
I know you wanna settle down, but I won't lie
I ain't ever gonna be that guy
No I'm never gonna be that guy.

No I'm never gonna be that guy.
(Spoken) I just can't be that guy.

Every thing does come together well on this Samuel.
Lyrics are very well constructed as is the tune.
Thanks for the tips may give some ago myself.
Very well done. Rob

Nice song Sam. Sounds very well produced.

Samuel, everything sounds great to me! Looks like you have a good partner to collaborate on songs with! Wishing you all the best! Thanks, Torrey

Very cool country tune Samuel. Super vocal and backtrack. Super mix. Drums were excellent..

Thanks torrey. Yeah, I already am working on 2 more sets of lyrics Skipper sent me and we are probably going to team up for FAWM to knock out a bunch of songs.

Thanks Scott. I like the way the drums came out on this as well.

Samuel, this sounds pro all the way - great job!

Bob

Samuel,

Hot women and cold beer and all the requisite Country items...

Guitars sound good... drums, too... a nice opening.

You have a great voice for these type songs.

fj

The guitar sounds so nice in this one! And the lyrics are really fantastic. You guys did an awesome job!

Great country rocker

strong vocals, good write, cool song

enjoyed,

Kenny

Samuel,
Very enjoyable - this rocks as snappily as you intended and your vocal really carries the energy.
Thanks for including your work process - the end product sounds excellent!

Robert

Damn strait. Got to have the women and beer lol. Thanks Floyd.

Thank you everyone for your comments. I'm glad you all enjoy it.

Wow Samuel.
Sounds like a very danceable line dance song.
Fascinating technical notes and all very well done fun.
Cheers.

I hadn't thought about that Rich but your right. Cpuld easily electric slide or boot scoot to it.

Another great country rocker Samuel. Love!

Catchy! Awesome hook.

Samuel,

I enjoyed that! As others have said, the production sounds excellent, first class. Everything about this shines with confidence and competence.

Regards,
Noel

Samuel, from beat one I was interested. Really nice groove and arrangement. You obviously put time into your production too.

Now one thing I want to very specifically mention is, I am always impressed with your vocal delivery of rhythms. You are so good at that!

Great job all the way around.

Thank you much. I've studied vocal music since I was young and done many kinds of music. It kind of comes as second nature now.

A rocking tune with an excellent vocal performance.

I can't believe you didn't use I wanna live my life like a country song as the primary hook, because that's an awesome line.

Thanks for posting, it was a fun listen.

Hi Samuel,

Big fan of country rock here. Isn't it great what can be discovered and explored on the net??!! Skipper gave you a real nice lyric to work with. You did a great job with them.

Super production. The drums are particularly outstanding. Enjoyed it a bunch! Best to you.

Alan

Cool song!! The attitude reminds me of Hank Jr. Some really fun lyrics, and the music and production are perfect for the song. Great job on this!! Take care. Greg

Kix didn’t often sing lead with Brooks and Dunn but he was a fine singer and you sound a lot like him. Actually the entire production reminded us of them.

All this means...you did a great job!

J&B

Thanks Janice and Bud. That's a great compliment. Brooks and Dunn are one of the groups that really got me into country music.